How to Plug a Screw Hole in a Rifle

Many shooters use rifles with attached scopes for hunting or long-range target practice. A scope is attached with scope rings that clamp on to a scope base. The base is secured to the rifle's receiver with small screws that thread into drilled and tapped holes in the receiver. When changing scope styles, it may be necessary to exchange one type of scope base for another, and this may leave the drilled and tapped holes exposed. Screws specifically designed to plug empty receiver holes can be installed to improve the look of the rifle and prevent dirt and debris from accumulating in the unused holes.

Things You'll Need

• Gun rest
• Gunsmithing screwdrivers
• Screw plug kit

Instructions

1. Retract the bolt to unload the rifle. Unload the magazine and ensure there are no live rounds in the chamber.

2. Place the rifle in a gun rest. The rest will steady the rifle as you work on it, freeing up your hands.

3. Select the largest-sized screwdriver that will fit in the screw head slot if the old base is attached and remove the screws securing the base. Set the base and the screws aside for future use.

4. Select correctly sized screws from the screw plug kit and install them into the empty holes. Most scope base screws have a thread pitch of 8-40, although 6-40 and 6-48 are possible. Use the largest-sized screwdriver that will fit in the screw head slot to tighten the screws.

References

• Brownells: Plug Screw Kit